Scilla Fernandez

The Late Scilla Fernandez

Writer

Scilla Fernandez was a founder member Bonnington Playwrights and her play Breaking Glass was performed as part of the Bonnington Group 3x3 production at the Hen & Chickens in January 2007. Then her play What of the Night?, about Ellen Terry and G F Watts, formed part of the Bonnington Playwrights production The Quite Peculiar and Irresistible Charm of Ellen Terry, at Smallhythe, Ellen Terry’s home, in July 2007 and also at the Actors' Church, Covent Garden, in October 2009.

She was one of a select few chosen in a competition by the National Theatre to develop their work in 2008.

Scilla was a member of Actors and Writers London (AWL) for several years, joyfully attended the Monday meetings, and her play Seachange, about two women revisiting their intense friendship from the 1960s, was read at AWL in 2006.

Scilla had been writing for some years and then attended the City Lit playwriting course, where her natural ability flourished. She was a brilliant linguist, a talented secondary school teacher, and an inspirational tour guide in Spain, as well as enjoying and participating in many other interests. Indomitable energy seemed to steer her into limitless fields.

Painting with Light was performed at Crown Court, Covent Garden, in 2010. This play was written by Scilla with her sister Ros Cornford, and became her last work. It was produced by the Bonnington Playwrights, and starred her eldest daughter Karina.

She was at the height of her powers in 2010 when, despite her love of life, she was overcome by cancer. Her death was a profound loss to the Bonnington Playwrights, but they continue in the inspiration of her energy and creativity.

To Richard White she was a determined colleague, a generous friend and an inspiration, to John Thane, another playwright friend, 'a constant smile; a gentle energy; a positive force cajoling and encouraging, ever ready to try something new or look for new aspects of the familiar. Scilla just was, and is.'